Scope to move to east London in May

The charity is to move to smaller premises in the Olympic Park, but can't put a figure on how much it will save

Here East in the Olympic Park

The disability charity Scope is relocating its headquarters to Stratford, east London, as part of significant changes to how the charity operates.

The charity will move to Here East, which is based in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in May. The charity says this will allow it to collaborate with academic institutions and technology firms based at the site and make its headquarters more accessible to disabled people.

The charity will sell its current premises in north London and expects that the proceeds of the sale, plus money saved from not having to maintain an ageing building, will be reinvested in its charitable work.

A spokesman for the charity was unable to put a figure on how much the charity would save as a result of the move.

Scope expects to relocate its entire headquarters staff to the new offices.

The move to new premises comes after a year of substantial change at Scope, with the charity announcing last year that it would sell its care home business to a private provider and would reduce income by 40 per cent in a drive to focus on campaigning on disabled people’s rights.

The move, which will result in Scope becoming a "mission-led social business", will also involve staff numbers falling by two-thirds as part of the charity’s five-year strategy.

Scope’s new offices will be approximately 16,000 square feet over one floor at Here East. In comparison, the charity’s current headquarters in north London cover 40,000 square feet over four floors.

The charity said that the new offices would support its everyday equality strategy to improve opportunities available to disabled people, and the premises would incorporate new working practices and support new technology, including a sensory room and a changing places facility.

Mark Atkinson, chief executive of Scope, said: "Our new office at Here East isn't just about new desks and a new location. It's a fundamental change in how we work together.

"We'll have new, flexible ways of working so that we can attract and retain the best talent. We'll be working with our neighbours – from other charities and innovative start-up companies – to share expertise and cultivate new relationships.

"And, as Britain's leading disability charity, we want an office that brings everyday equality to life. Our office will lead the sector in terms of accessibility for all colleagues. Inclusion for disabled people isn't an afterthought or a bolt on. It's fundamental to the design of our new office."

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